Tampa Drug Crimes Attorney

You see the flashing lights in your rearview mirror. Suddenly, an officer finds four grams of a substance in your vehicle. That small amount is all it takes to change your life forever. In Florida, four grams of fentanyl triggers mandatory minimum trafficking charges. This applies even if the drugs were for personal use and you never intended to sell a single dose. Consequently, you need a Tampa drug crimes attorney who understands the high stakes immediately.

Without aggressive representation, the State will pursue maximum penalties. Florida has some of the harshest drug laws in the nation. Therefore, you could face years in state prison for an amount that fits inside a sugar packet. I am Tampa Attorney Rocky Brancato. For over 25 years, I have defended clients throughout Tampa Bay. As the former Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, I know exactly how prosecutors build these cases. More importantly, I know where their evidence is weak. My firm, The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., can help if you are charged with a drug crime.

Understanding Florida Trafficking Thresholds

In Florida, you do not need to be a “dealer” to face trafficking charges. The law defines trafficking based strictly on weight. If you possess amounts above specific statutory thresholds, the judge cannot reduce your sentence. These are called mandatory minimums.

The following table outlines the current weight thresholds under Florida Statute:

A “mandatory minimum” means the judge has no discretion. Therefore, the only way to avoid these penalties is to win the case or get the charges reduced. As your Tampa drug crimes attorney, my goal is to challenge the weight, the testing, and the search itself. For more information about Drug Trafficking, see our article: What is Drug Trafficking in Florida.

How We Fight Drug Charges in Hillsborough County

Every drug case has unique facts. My approach focuses on identifying constitutional violations and evidentiary weaknesses. We look for specific flaws in the State’s case.

Challenging Fourth Amendment Violations

If the police searched your car, home, or person without a warrant or a valid exception, the evidence is illegal. Consequently, we file motions to suppress this evidence. If the judge grants the motion, the State often must drop the charges.

Exposing Unreliable Field Tests

Police frequently use roadside field test kits during traffic stops. However, these kits are notoriously unreliable. Studies show they produce false positives for common household items like sugar, baking soda, and soap. If your arrest relied on a field test, I demand prompt, accredited laboratory testing. I am dedicated to clearing your name by exposing these flaws.

Addressing Constructive Possession

The State must prove you knew the drugs were there and had control over them. Mere proximity to a substance is not enough for a conviction. For example, if drugs were found in a shared vehicle or a common area, we argue that you did not possess them.

Types of Cases We Handle

I represent clients facing the full spectrum of state and federal drug charges in Hillsborough County and Pinellas County. This includes:

• Simple Possession: Marijuana, cocaine, fentanyl, meth, heroin, MDMA, and prescription drugs.
• Intent to Sell: Possession with intent to sell or deliver.
• Trafficking: Both State and Federal trafficking conspiracies.
• Fraud: Prescription fraud and doctor shopping.
• Manufacturing: Cultivation of marijuana or manufacturing of other controlled substances.
• Paraphernalia: Possession of drug paraphernalia.
• DUID: Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Defense

Will I go to jail for a first-time drug offense?

Not always. Many first-time offenders qualify for alternatives like Pretrial Intervention (PTI) or Drug Court. These programs focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Successful completion can result in the dismissal of your charges. I evaluate every client’s eligibility for these diversion programs.

Is Delta-8 THC legal in Tampa?

Yes, Delta-8 THC derived from hemp is currently legal in Florida. However, law enforcement often mistakes legal hemp products for illegal marijuana based on appearance and odor. If you were arrested for possessing a legal product, a Tampa drug crimes attorney can fight to establish the legality of the substance through proper lab analysis.

Can I face trafficking charges if I was not selling drugs?

Yes. Florida law bases trafficking charges on the weight of the substance, not your intent to sell it. Therefore, simply possessing a quantity above the statutory threshold triggers trafficking charges. This is why immediate legal representation is critical.

Representative Results in Tampa Bay

I have a history of securing favorable outcomes for my clients. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, they demonstrate my commitment to aggressive defense.

• Fentanyl Trafficking: Charges dismissed after challenging the legality of the vehicle search.
• Cocaine Trafficking: Jury returned a “Not Guilty” verdict after we exposed that a codefendant was the actual trafficker.
• Sale Near a School: Client found “Not Guilty” based on a mistaken identity defense.

Read our Drug Crimes Related Articles

• Florida Court Reverses Cannabis Trafficking Conviction After Help Legalization
• DUI for Prescription Drugs in Florida
• What is Drug Trafficking in Florida
• Florida’s Second DCA Limits Plain Smell Cannabis Search Doctrine
• Florida Marijuana THC Possession Laws – Felony vs. Misdemeanor
• All About Medical Marijuana Transportation Laws
• Confidential Informants in Drug Cases

Contact a Tampa Drug Crimes Attorney Today

The impact of a drug conviction extends far beyond jail time. You face a mandatory driver’s license suspension, loss of employment, and difficulty renting housing. Do not wait until it is too late.

I offer confidential consultations to people facing drug charges in Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and St. Petersburg. I know the local judges and the procedures at the Hillsborough County Courthouse. Let’s discuss your options and outline a strategy to protect your future^.

Call The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. now.

Phone: (813) 727-7159 Address: 620 E. Twiggs Street, Suite 205, Tampa, FL 33602